FACILITY CONCEPT: A RESEARCH HUB
The Institute will operate a hybrid research and conservation propagation facility designed to support both experimental and operational conservation work.
Location Considerations
- Ideally located near a college and located within the immediate watershed of a prairie river or stream - the facility will provide proximity to priority conservation systems while remaining accessible to regional partners
- Somewhere along the Big Sioux River near Sioux Falls (intersection of I-90 and I-29 for out-of-state visitors and ease of bait distribution + reintroduction stocking, near a major population center lacking any facility of its kind, within an hour’s drive of:
- Great Plains Zoo & Aquarium (currently fundraising for a major capital expansion to build an on-site aquarium, though current zoo plans only mention/highlight marine species);
- South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, Augustana University, University of Sioux Falls, Morningside College, Dakota State University, Dakota Wesleyan
- SD Game, Fish and Parks regional office and Outdoor Campus East
- (less than 3 hr drive to Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery, Missouri River/Chamberlain SDGFP Office, Gavins Point NFH in Yankton)
Core Infrastructure: The Minimal Viable Product
- Freshwater ecology wet and dry laboratory - microscopy and water chemistry setup, lab bench space for fish ID and genetic/eDNA work
- Aquarium & small circular mesocosm room, flumes, recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)
- Dedicated space for egg jars/hatching battery
- Controlled propagation and larval rearing systems
- Bait rearing units (MUST HAVE ADEQUATE BIOSECURITY CONTROL PROTOCOLS)
- Flow-through flumes/experimental stream mesocosm unit (similar to the one at Konza Prairie Biological Station)
- Freshwater mussel culture and host fish rearing infrastructure
- Gear storage/field operations and equipment facility for storing nets, vehicles, boats; workshop & tool storage area for maintenance and fabrication work
- Outreach/training classroom - interpretive signage/ floor tape for safety and traffic flow on public tours
Ancillary Future Needs to Enhance Mission
- Cabin cruiser research vessel to perform contract hydroacoustic surveys and scientific diving work on the mainstem Missouri River and beyond (existing demand)